Welcome to Vanmate, where our mission is driven by personal experiences and a deep commitment to protecting the livelihoods of van owners everywhere. Van theft is an all-too-common problem that brings with it not just financial loss but also a heavy emotional toll. At Vanmate, we understand this pain firsthand, and that’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to developing practical, affordable solutions to help van owners secure their vehicles against theft and vandalism. Our story is rooted in real-world experiences, and it fuels our passion to make a difference in the lives of tradespeople and van owners alike.
How Did Vanmate Start?
The story of Vanmate begins with frustration, vulnerability, and the determination to make a change. It all started when a close friend of ours bought a brand-new VW Transporter, a purchase he was excited about. Unfortunately, within the same week, his van was broken into twice. On the second occasion, the thieves used a method known as "door peeling," a brazen and all-too-common technique among van thieves.
That evening, after hearing about his ordeal, I was at the gym, and I couldn’t shake the thought that this sort of crime needed to stop. While there are expensive van alarm systems on the market, there wasn’t an easy, affordable way for everyday van owners to enhance their van security.
That's when the idea for Vanmate started to take shape.
Security Alarms for Vans from Vanmate
Is That the Only Reason?
No, the drive behind Vanmate goes deeper than just one incident. As a former heating engineer, I’ve experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of having my own van broken into—twice. The first time it happened, I was 23 years old, just starting my self-employed journey, full of hope and ambition. I remember waking up one morning, stepping outside, and seeing the driveway covered in glass. My first van, my livelihood, had been violated.
That day, I felt utterly defeated. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t bring myself to do anything productive. The emotional toll was heavy, and the sense of despair lingered. My dad, seeing me in such a state, patched up the broken window with some bags. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to me.
The second break-in happened a few years later, in 2011. This time, my van was parked outside my house on a busy street. Once again, I woke up to a smashed window. At first, I thought nothing had been stolen, but then I realised all my paperwork was missing—service reports and gas safe certificates that I needed to get paid. The loss of that paperwork cost me over £1,000. This time, instead of apathy, I felt a burning anger. I was determined that something had to change.
Our Mission: Protecting Van Owners from Theft
If you’ve ever had your van broken into, you know the emotional pain and the practical headaches it causes. That niggling anxiety late at night, wondering if your van will still be there in the morning, is something I lived with for years.
At Vanmate, our mission is simple: to provide high-quality van security products / van alarms that are accessible to all tradespeople, van owners and camper van owners, both in terms of price and ease of use. Our security alarms for vans don’t require a degree in engineering to install, making it simple for anyone to protect their van and livelihood.
Vanmate Motion Van Alarm + Sticker Bundle
What Are Our Future Plans?
We’re not stopping here. We’re a small business with big ambitions. Our team is constantly working on innovative, unique products designed from the ground up to outsmart thieves and give van owners peace of mind. From the initial sketches to the final product, our goal is to stamp out tool theft once and for all!
At Vanmate, we believe that every van owner deserves to feel secure, and we’re committed to making that a reality. Whether you’re a tradesperson who relies on your van for your livelihood or a van owner who simply wants to protect your investment, we’re here to help you keep your van—and everything inside it—safe from harm.
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